Innovative actions in Estonian organic farming

Non-profit organisation ‘Estonian Organic Cluster’ was established in 2015 with the aim of carrying out projects to support the development of the organic farming sector in Estonia. A five-year action plan “Innovations in organic plant production” supported under Estonian RDP cooperation measure (M16), was launched in 2017, where innovative and easily applicable technologies in arable crops and vegetable production to increase production efficiency and productivity are tested. The plan also aims to increase economic and environmental sustainability.  

The action plan was launched in cooperation with the organic farmers across country and different organisations like Estonian Crop Research Institute, different units of Estonian University of Life Sciences, University of Tartu, The Centre for Ecological Engineering, Estonian Organic Farming Foundation, Agri Partner Ltd and The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland (FiBL) are the partners. Organic farmers have high interest in innovative technologies and all members of the cluster are working side by side in close connection.  

The Organic Cluster has 9 innovative actions focusing on arable crops and 7 innovative actions focusing on vegetable production. The focus of the Estonian Organic Cluster is on different field trials of fertilisers and bio-activators (seed, soil and foliar treatments), cover crop combinations, uncommon protein crops, mulch for organic vegetable cultivation and organic plant protection along with baking quality tests of flour and adding value to organic vegetables through fermentation. Several actions are ending this year. More information and reports of the finished actions are available at www.maheklaster.ee  

“Implementing the organic cluster project activities have been very challenging and also rewarding. Working together with experts and practitioners is a great learning process for both sides. We are trying to figure out, how to get better yields both in volume and in quality. Not always have our tests had the results we were expecting, but we are sure that we are on right direction and some results are already promising. There are no easy and simple solutions in organic productions, although farmers quite often are looking for just one or two solutions. Our activities also show, that the systemic approach and combined actions are needed to get the best results,” said Airi Vetemaa, the organic cluster coordinator. 

Contacts:

Estonian organic cluster coordinator: Airi Vetemaa 

+372 52 25 936 

maheklaster@gmail.com 

https://maheklaster.ee/

Photo: by Airi Vetemaa, members of the Cluster on a visit in Austria